MARKFIELD COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEWS

THE MARKFIELD COMMUNITY Association managed the Markfield Community and Sports Centre since it opened. Markfield Parish Council now manages the Centre.

We are delighted that the Parish Council has committed to keeping the Community Centre open for the use of local residents. We believe that, in the best interests of the village, we should work in partnership and have in place a plan to develop the Community Centre into a facility that the village deserves.

We can do this together in partnership with the help and support of local agencies, community groups and of course, most importantly you, our local residents.

With the support of the Parish Council, the Association will continue to run the Mayflower Clubs at the Community Centre and continue to co-ordinate the successful Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme. With the Parish Council, we will also endeavour to continue to support local well-being initiatives, local events, new clubs and activities.

We sincerely wish the Parish Council every success in this new endeavour and, “TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT”.

Trustees Markfield Community Association

Mayflower Club

DOESN’T TIME fly by. In February this year the Mayflower Club celebrated its TENTH anniversary.

I will always remember the day that the club started. There had been a terrible storm across the country with trees being toppled by gusts of high wind so, we nervously sat at the Community Centre fully expecting no one to turn up. How wrong we were.

A band of intrepid residents battled through the storm arriving at the Centre with wind bashed umbrellas, soggy rain coats and hats. It was quite amazing. Anyway, this was the start of which has proved to be the very successful Mayflower Club.

Over the following decade the Club developed into a much appreciated and friendly place for people come along to, meet up with friends old and new, to enjoy and above all to have fun. Even during the Pandemic lockdowns we managed to keep the Club going and, with much appreciated help from Carole Kemp who kept in touch with members providing them with virtual games and quizzes but more importantly making sure that they were alright and providing help and support if needed.

Over the years the club has provided so much for our members including trips out, celebration parties, indoor games, guest speakers and wellbeing information and talks. Our members certainly look forward to getting out of the house and coming along to our weekly sessions. I must also thank Carol Berridge and Dawn for all their continued help and support throughout the years it is much appreciated by all the members.

On Monday afternoons 2pm to 4pm there is the Friendship Club where you can play a game of dominoes or cards and also join in with our arts and crafts sessions where members are currently crocheting hats, ponchos and even bunting for the Coronation. The main club meets on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm. So, if you are fed up with being stuck at home, feeling a bit lonely and left out or simply want to meet new friends and have a bit of fun please come along and join us. They are a right friendly bunch and you will feel most welcome. Just pop in and join in.

Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme

ANOTHER EXAMPLE of how time has flown by is the COVID Pandemic. Can you believe that it is now just over three years since the first lockdown on the 23rd March 2020.

Watching what was happening across the world the Association had anticipated that desperate measures would be needed. Indeed within a week of the lockdown announcement we had introduced the Markfield COVID 19 Voluntary Good Neighbours Support Scheme and had “signed up” a volunteer for EVERY street in Markfield and Field Head. Within two weeks we had engaged over

100 volunteers. How brilliant were they all. We could write pages and pages of all the acts of kindness, donations and support that they and other villagers gave during the pandemic.

On behalf of the village, we cannot thank them enough. Help and support is still needed especially around loneliness, isolation and of course the current financial difficulties that people are experiencing so, to this end the Association is committed to keeping the Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme up and running and with its help to continue to provide help and support to those in need wherever we can. Once again, a big thankyou to you all.

To contact the Good Neighbours Scheme please call 09885 243033 or 07904 222552

Ron and Dawn Grantham

Markfield Community Association

The Premises Officer will be responsible for assisting with the running of the Centre including reception, caretaking and cleaning duties.

You should be honest, reliable and physically fit and able to work flexibly, as required, up to a maximum of 20 hours a week. Shifts will include both evening and weekend working based around Centre bookings.

Salary – Minimum Wage

Please apply in writing with your C.V to The Clerk, Markfield Parish Council, Parish Office, Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield. LE67 9ST Email: admin@markfieldpc.org.uk

I get seasick. And that’s after only a couple of glasses.